Objective
Anthrax is one of the most important zoonotic diseases worldwide and is endemic in Asia, Africa, Europe, America and Australia. Geography, environment, social and economic factors are all consider to impact on its distribution. The frequency of outbreaks of infection in Georgia has increased and is no longer limited to the sporadic outbreaks observed previously. Increasingly outbreaks have the characteristics of small epidemics and during the past decade, about 300 people have been infected by anthrax through contaminated meat and soil. These have resulted in three fatalities and the deaths of many hundreds of animals.
The project is focused on an epidemiological study of B anthracis across Georgia and will assess its distribution in both areas where anthrax is endemic and non-endemic. Identification and characterisation of the strains will be correlated with data detailing the history of previous outbreaks, climate, geological and geographical features including soil type, land use and human activity.
Identification of isolates from clinical veterinary and environmental samples will be carried out primarily using procedures detailed by the WHO but these will be developed to carry out a more detailed characterisation.
PCR will be used to confirm the identification of a representative number of isolates using molecular markers specific for B. anthracis. Identification will be confirmed using molecular sequencing of the 16S rDNA and the intergenic 16S-23S-rDNA spacer. Immunoelectrophoresis will be used to examine proteins and lipo proteins of isolates. PCR will also be used to determine the presence of pag (PA) and cap (capsule) genes which are indicative of the presence of the plasmids pXO1 and pXO2 and the virulence of the isolates.
To provide recognisable markers for epidemiological studies the isolates will be evaluated to determine both a genetic and phenotypic fingerprint. Phage typing and antibiotic resistance patterns will be correlated with genetic finger printing of a representative number of isolates to provide reference markers for epidemiological studies. Genotypic fingerprinting will be based on the recently identified polymorphic regions of DNA in the B anthracis genome, which can be used to describe the intra-specific biodiversity between isolated strains. This phenotypic and genotypic characterisation will enable an accurate description of epidemiologically distinct isolates together with differentiation between autochthonous and imported strains.
Together with the geographic data this enable the monitoring of strains spreading between different epidemic foci. A collection of well characterised strains will be constructed together with a comprehensive data base relating to their history and origin.
Computer analysis of the epidemiological data will be combined with the environmental social, industrial and geographical factors to assess their influence on the distribution and spread of anthrax infection. This analysis will be integrated with Russian and Western European data in order to assess common aspects of the hazards associated with potential anthrax exposure. Risk assessment of the hazards relating to B. anthracis infection in man and farm animals in the regions of Georgia will be evaluated and recommendations formulated for policies on vaccination of animals and workers in areas of high risk.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
This project has not yet been classified with EuroSciVoc.
Be the first one to suggest relevant scientific fields and help us improve our classification service
You need to log in or register to use this function
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Data not available
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Data not available
Coordinator
SP4 0JG Salisbury
United Kingdom
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.